If you're looking to buy the original Newcastle Brown Ale, you may be out of luck if you're in the US. While it seems that the beer is still available in the UK and Canada, it appears that the recipe has changed in the US, with some drinkers complaining that it is now hoppier and not the same. However, some retailers in the US, such as Total Wine & More and New Canaan Wine, appear to be selling Newcastle Brown Ale, although availability may vary by store.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Produced by | Heineken International |
Introduced | 1927 |
Introduced in | Newcastle upon Tyne, England |
Breweries | Newcastle Breweries, Scottish & Newcastle, John Smiths Brewery, Zoeterwoude Brewery |
ABV | 4.7% |
Calories | ~170 |
Hops | Fewer hops for a less bitter taste |
Malts | Blend of light and dark malts for a unique, smooth flavour |
Temperature | Cool |
Colour | Auburn |
Flavour | Rich, full-bodied, slightly sweet |
Available in | United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Europe |
What You'll Learn
Newcastle Brown Ale in the US
Newcastle Brown Ale is available in the US, but it's not the same recipe as the original UK version. Since 2019, the American version has been brewed by the Lagunitas Brewing Company in Petaluma, California, and Chicago, Illinois. It is owned by Heineken, which also owns Lagunitas.
The US version of Newcastle Brown Ale has a noticeably different taste compared to the original. It is brewed with Centennial and Chinook hops, and has a slightly roasty and hoppier flavour. It is also available in 12-ounce servings, unlike the UK version, which is sold in 12-imperial-ounce servings.
Some people dislike the new US version of Newcastle Brown Ale, with some drinkers saying they will not drink it and others saying they will have to travel to Canada to find the original recipe. One person said: "It was one of my favourite beers. I just want the Newcastle Brown Ale I know and love."
Some suggested substitutes for the original Newcastle Brown Ale in the US include Samuel Smith Brown Ale, Brooklyn Brown, Shiner Bock, Negra Modelo, and Dos Equis Amber.
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Newcastle Brown Ale in Canada
Newcastle Brown Ale is available in Canada, although it may be becoming harder to find. It is produced by Heineken International and was introduced in 1927 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. In 2005, brewing was moved out of Newcastle for the first time to Dunston in Gateshead. In 2009, it was announced that production would move to Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, and it is now also brewed for export in the Netherlands.
In the US, Newcastle Brown Ale is now brewed by Lagunitas, which is owned by Heineken, and the recipe has changed. Many fans of the original ale are unhappy with the new version, and some have suggested travelling to Canada to buy the beer. One Reddit user from Canada (Manitoba) says it is "everywhere" in their province, and another says they found some in BC.
Newcastle Brown Ale is available to buy online from Foodrunner Canada in 500ml bottles.
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Newcastle Brown Ale in the UK
Newcastle Brown Ale is a brown ale that was originally brewed in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It was launched in 1927 by Colonel Jim Porter after three years of development. The beer is now brewed with pale malt and crystal malt and has a lower hopping rate than traditional English bitters. It is one of the UK's leading bottled ales, selling around 100,000 hL annually.
In 2005, brewing was moved out of Newcastle for the first time to Dunston in Gateshead. In 2010, it was moved again to Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, where it is still brewed for the UK and some EU markets. The beer is also brewed in the Netherlands for the export market.
In the UK, Newcastle Brown Ale is often given the nickname "Dog", alluding to the British euphemism of seeing a man about a dog. It is also known as "Broon", the Geordie pronunciation of "brown". It is traditionally sold in Britain in 1-imperial-pint and, more recently, 550-millilitre bottles.
You can buy Newcastle Brown Ale in the UK from online retailers such as Beers of Europe, which offers free delivery for orders over £100.
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Substitutes for Newcastle Brown Ale
Newcastle Brown Ale is a brand of beer produced by Heineken International. It was introduced in 1927 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, but now has different breweries, including one in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, and another for export in the Netherlands.
If you are looking for substitutes for Newcastle Brown Ale, there are several options available:
- Samuel Smith Brown Ale
- Brooklyn Brown
- Shiner Bock
- Negra Modelo
- Dos Equis Amber
- Hobgoblin (a dark brown ale that is a good replacement for cooking)
- Birdsong Lazy Bird Brown Ale
- Ellie's Brown Ale by Avery Brewing
- Bell's Best Brown Ale
- Big Sky's Moose Drool
- Abita's Turbodog
- Southern Pecan by Lazy Magnolia Brewing
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The history of Newcastle Brown Ale
Newcastle Brown Ale, also known as "Newkie Brown", was first launched in 1927 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, by Newcastle Breweries. It was created by Lieutenant Colonel James ('Jim') Herbert Porter, a third-generation brewer, and chemist Archie Jones. The beer was the result of three years of development, with Porter aiming to create a popular new bottled ale using advanced production techniques.
Newcastle Brown Ale was advertised as "entirely new", with a "rich mellow flavor recalling the famous 'Audit' Ales of bygone days". It was positioned as a good summer drink with sufficient "body" to satisfy those who enjoy a hearty ale. The beer proved to be a success from the start, selling at a premium price of nine shillings for a dozen pint bottles.
The famous five-pointed blue star logo, representing the five founding breweries of Newcastle, was introduced to the bottle in 1928. In 1960, Newcastle Breweries merged with Scottish Brewers, which led to the beer's national distribution. UK sales peaked in the early 1970s, and the beer experienced a resurgence in the late 1980s and early 1990s, particularly with student unions.
Over the years, Newcastle Brown Ale has undergone several changes in ownership and brewing locations. In 2005, brewing was moved from Newcastle to Dunston, Tyne and Wear. In 2007, bottling was moved to the John Smith's Brewery in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire. In 2010, production was shifted again, this time to the John Smiths Brewery in Tadcaster, as the Dunston site was operating at only 60% capacity.
In 2015, the beer's recipe was altered, removing the caramel colouring for health reasons and using roasted malt to darken the beer instead. In 2017, Heineken moved some production to the Netherlands, and in 2019, they began making a different version in America, specifically for the US market. This variation, produced by Lagunitas Brewing Company, has a noticeably different taste compared to the original.
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Frequently asked questions
Old Newcastle beer is no longer available in the US. You can find the original recipe in Canada or the UK.
The recipe was changed by Lagunitas, which now holds the distribution rights in the US.
No, the new recipe is considered to be inferior to the original.
Newcastle is now brewed by Heineken at the John Smiths Brewery in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, and at the Zoeterwoude Brewery in the Netherlands for export.
Yes, Samuel Smith Brown Ale or Brooklyn Brown are recommended as substitutes.